Among the many archaeological sites in the Lagoa Santa region, Lapa do Santo has emerged in recent decades as one of the most scientifically significant, contributing evidence on multiple fronts that has helped clarify the picture of early human life in the region and has provided some of the key ancient genome data relevant to the Population Y debate.

Lapa do Santo is a large rock shelter in the limestone karst landscape of Lagoa Santa, excavated systematically by a team led by André Strauss and other researchers from the University of São Paulo and international partner institutions.

The excavations have been notable for their methodological rigor — the use of detailed spatial recording, systematic sampling for biological and environmental evidence, and careful radiocarbon dating of the relevant layers — and for the extraordinary quality of the material they have recovered.

The site has produced evidence of human occupation spanning thousands of years, with the earliest well-dated occupation beginning around 12,000 years ago.